So I'm 5 days post op and every commercial, billboard, etc. is about food!!!! I really need some help, because as I sit here and sip my broth and jello, I'm thinking I made a huge mistake.

I am 11 days out and I feel that way too. But I have to keep reminding myself that I will be able to have anything in moderation in a few months. Luckily my step mom had it done a year ago so I can look at her and see that everything will be ok.

Jay that is the food addiction talking to you...be strong...remember when we used to feel low we would turn to food for comfort...you will have to look for new things to turn to...this will pass!

I don't think you did. The first 3 months are very hard. You will heal and eat normal foods again. I'm 16 months post op- I promise I felt the same way until I was healed. Hang in there!

I hated this. It felt like every commercial was good and every show I watched they were eating. I had to turn the tv off for about a week and just read because it was Driving me crazy.

It will pass and remember you will be able to eat again.

I spent my early post-op time watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For some reason, that made it easier for me to deal with the shakes and broth during the liquids to mushies stages. Now, you couldn't pay me to eat most of the food featured on that show. The portion sizes are still outrageous in my mind!

I spent my early post-op time watching Diners' date=' Drive-Ins and Dives. For some reason, that made it easier for me to deal with the shakes and broth during the liquids to mushies stages. Now, you couldn't pay me to eat most of the food featured on that show. The portion sizes are still outrageous in my mind![/quote']

I thought I was crazy. I'm 6 days out and want regular food so bad. I spent yesterday evening watching Diners Drive-Ins and Dives and it made me feel better. I didn't having so many carvings while watching that. I'm soooooo glad you posted this. Makes me feel much better about myself.

So I'm 5 days post op and every commercial' date=' billboard, etc. is about food!!!! I really need some help, because as I sit here and sip my broth and Jello, I'm thinking I made a huge mistake.[/quote']

I feel the same way but we can do this. I'm 6 days out and want to eat something normal so bad. Just keep taking it day by day. Don't think it was a mistake because I'm sure it's gonna get better. I've never heard anyone say

they regretted having the surgery and I'm sure everyone else had the same feelings as us and they made it. We are food addicts. Our minds are programmed to think about food all of the time. Hopefully in time our minds will be trained to think about it in a different way.

I was thinking the same thing, both pre- and post-op.

Even in commercials, I would see farm animals eating and think, "HEY, my food is eating that food! It's not fair!"

But the cravings are starting to subside every day. Also I'm thinking, hey if I go back to the old me, my money goes right down the drain. Money is just a powerful motivator for me. Everyone is different.

I was kinda thinking about Thanksgiving and I sure am gonna miss stuffings. But my health is more important, I keep telling myself.

Joyful noise, Thanksgiving wasn't too tough for me last year. I ate a few bites of whatever I wanted, from turkey to stuffing to pie. I didn't stick to protein first, but went with whatever I wanted to eat. I do that three times a year. My new "normal" is that on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, I can eat whatever I want to eat. Every other day, it's 70 grams of protein and 64 oz of water. It's working for me. But, I promise you there won't be a single protein bar or protein shake on my menu on the actual holiday day.

I like that strategy! I'm only 5 weeks out and can barely eat 1/4 cup of food, so I'm a little nervous about Thanksgiving dinner. I'm cooking -I just don't want to over do it-I'm just starting to learn how to eat tiny bites, slowly so I don't get over full and feel gross. I can't wait til next year!

I feel ya. I watched a McDonald's commercial today and had a minute of feeling sorry for myself. But this is what's best and it will pass. That's the beauty of VSG, I see people living normal lives after surgery. Eating normal foods just less of them. It's so reassuring to know I won't have to be retrained for ever. If I want to have a bit of stuffing next thanksgiving I can! Speaking of thanksgiving I can't wait until next year! It used to be one of my favorites because what fat chick doesn't love to stuff her face? Lol but I'm looking forward to next year so I can handle it like a normal person

Thanks everyone! It is nice to know that in the future I will be somewhat normal again. Until then, I'll stick to my diet... and try to ignore all those food ads.

When did you start eating normal again? My NUT has me on a very strict diet for 6 - 12 months; which is good because I will lose a bunch of weight, but i'm curious when did you eat normal food in moderation?

Thanks again.

When did you start eating normal again? My NUT has me on a very strict diet for 6 - 12 months; which is good because I will lose a bunch of weight' date=' but i'm curious when did you eat normal food in moderation?

Thanks again.[/quote']

Jay, at my 5 week post op visit my dr cleared me to eat 'normal' foods, but to avoid bread. I also have to get the 60-80 grams of Protein in, the fluids and the Vitamins. By the time I do that, I barely have time for anything else! At this point, I'm just learning one meal at a time what I can eat and how much if it. It's funny how mashed potatoes go down fine -carbs! But protein like chicken and tuna sit like lead! I am at a frustrated point because I feel terrific if not a little tired, am allowed to eat what I want (within boundaries, of course!), but can only eat such a small amount. I know it's temporary as the sleeve continues to heal and open more to accommodate more food. On a positive side, the pounds are coming off and I am shrinking, so.... I just keep thinking how great next Thanksgiving will be when my being over 200 pound days will be behind me abd I can eat at keat a cup of Thanksgiving dinner! My favorite meal to cook and to enjoy!